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2 days, 1 night

Cusco

2 ~ 10

High content

Description

On this two-day tour, you will discover the beauty and mystery of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in a unique and non-touristy way. With Local Guides born and raised in the region, you’ll learn about ancient Inca culture and modern Andean customs for a true understanding of Peru’s fascinating past and present.

Spend the day with a local family, learn about artisan crafts, and explore off-the-beaten-path locations, all building up to your big visit to the magnificent world wonder, Machu Picchu. Ideal for the traveler who wants to see Machu Picchu in an alternative and interesting way, this two-day trip will leave you with a newfound appreciation for Peruvian heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1: The Sacred Valley with a Local Family You will be picked up from your accommodation in Cusco around 8 am. Today, you will witness the beauty of the Sacred Valley not only through its incredible scenery but also by immersing yourself in its history and customs. In Chichubamba, you will visit with a local family in their home, have lunch together and learn about traditional agriculture and ceramics. Spend the day exploring a local community and touring impressive ruins before heading off to Aguas Calientes, the starting point for Machu Picchu. This day includes stops at various locations with van transportation in between; if you prefer to hike or walk, it can be incorporated.

Day 2: Machu Picchu

Today is the exciting day where you will finally get to witness the incredible world wonder. Today, you will learn all you need to know about the Inca Citadel with a knowledgeable local guide. Through a private tour, you’ll discover the mystery and beauty of Machu Picchu like you’ve always dreamed. With enough time to explore and ask as many questions as you like, you will end this tour not only having checked Machu Picchu off your bucket list but also really appreciating the marvel itself. You will be dropped off back in Cusco around 8 pm, depending on the train schedule and availability.

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Eligibility criteria

This tour can be modified based on your physical ability level.

What's Included

Professional Guide

Machu Picchu entrance tickets

1 night's stay at a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes

Roundtrip transportation in a van from your accommodation in Cusco

Roundtrip bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

Roundtrip train tickets

Breakfast and lunch on day 1, breakfast on day 2

What's not included

Dinner on day 1

Lunch on day 2

Recommendations

Please book at least a month in advance, as train tickets are limited!

Bring comfortable clothes, comfortable walking shoes, and plenty of warm layers, as the weather is likely to fluctuate.

Don't forget your passport! You'll need it to get into Machu Picchu.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and rain gear.

Tags

Learn a New SkillGood for GroupsFamily-Friendly

Gallery

Domingo, Huber, and Urbano

Domingo Born in the beautiful province of Acomayo, right in the Andes Mountains, my love of the great outdoors began at a young age. When I was just a kid, my family moved to Cusco, where I discovered my love of tourism. I first began working in tourism as a porter on the Inca Trail. It was really hard work, but working with the guides inspired me to become one as well. I went to school to study tourism. I remember the day I received my license as an official tour guide like it was yesterday! It was such an exciting moment to be able to lead people on the trail, and now 16 years later, I still get that same excitement every time I host a tour. A few years ago, I decided to take my passion and begin my own tour company. My hope that through my tours, I can show travelers not only the beauty and history of the region but also teach them about the rich Andean culture.

HuberGrowing up in a small town in the Sacred Valley, I was raised to always respect and love Mother Nature. As a kid, I always admired the tour guides passing through my town. Not only did they get to explore some of the most beautiful parts of the country, but they got to meet people from all over the world. I became determined that I too would become a tour guide. As soon as I was old enough, I moved to Cusco to study tourism and become a certified Inca Trail guide. For about 14 years now, I have been leading tours, and discovered that, beyond taking my guests on the “typical” paths, I wanted to be a unique guide and take them to the unique interesting spots other guides weren’t going to. I also have studied medicinal plants and love teaching my travelers about the many fascinating benefits these plants can have.

UrbanoI was born in the Apurimac region of Peru in an indigenous community with rich agricultural land. As a kid, I learned from my parents how to work on the field and the importance of maintaining our culture’s age-old traditions. Although I left my small town at a very young age to go to elementary school in Cusco, I’ve carried this appreciation for ancient culture my whole life. Living in the magical city of Cusco, I was able to expand upon my knowledge of my ancestors even more and was inspired to take this knowledge and share it with others. After studying tourism in school, I became a tour guide, specializing in ancient cultures. Having been born in a village in an indigenous village and as a native speaker of the Quechua language, teaching travelers from all over the world about the history and land has been an absolute dream.

Other things to do in Peru

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